Zack Wheeler Plays Catch, Aiming For Weekend Bullpen

Zack Wheeler played catch today for about 10 minutes with New York Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen with no ill effects. This coming the day after it was reported that he felt some “tenderness” in his right elbow after a recent bullpen session.

Wheeler was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Port St. Lucie. He will now throw his next bullpen session on Saturday or Sunday.

Original Report – Feb 15

New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler experienced what he called ”tenderness” in his right arm after a recent bullpen session according to multiple reports from Port St. Lucie on Wednesday.

Wheeler is still scheduled to play catch on Thursday and throw a bullpen on Friday as the Mets believe it’s just scar tissue causing the tenderness.

Pitching coach Dan Warthen also said on Wednesday that Wheeler will be limited to the low 100’s for innings in 2017.

Wheeler has not pitched for the Mets since 2014, but was being counted on to be a significant part of the club’s plans going into the 2017 season.

In two seasons with the Mets, Wheeler has a 3.50 ERA over 285.1 innings. Over that span, he posted an 8.5 K/9 rate as well as a 3.9 BB/9 rate.

In March of 2015, just before the start of the season, Wheeler tore his UCL, requiring Tommy John surgery. He required extra recovery time for another minor procedure on his elbow.

Last season, in his effort to return to the Mets by season’s end, he suffered numerous setbacks. Wheeler threw a grand total of 17 pitches in the minor leagues before being shut down for the year.

Lifelong Mets fan born in 1987 meaning I still haven't witnessed a championship. Lived in Maine my entire life so I get my Mets fix from MLB.tv and MiLB.tv. Still playing and coaching baseball.Follow me on twitter @mikemayermmo